Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas has defeated former Republican Sen. John E. Sununu in the New Hampshire Senate race, a victory that serves as a significant boost for his party's efforts to win back the Senate majority. The race was considered a must-hold for Democrats in the midterm elections.
Pappas, a four-term congressman, secured 60.6% of the vote compared to Sununu's 37.61% with 19.18% of precincts reporting, according to the Fox News Decision Desk. He will succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen.
Sununu, who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump but maintained some distance from the former president, was seeking to return to the Senate after an 18-year absence. He had criticized Pappas's tenure in Washington, stating that the congressman had "accomplished even less" during his eight years in Congress and would be "a rubber stamp for the far left."
Pappas countered by highlighting his reelection successes in a challenging district and emphasizing his bipartisan work. He cited efforts on fentanyl scheduling and challenges to the Biden administration's border policies as examples of his legislative efforts.
Pappas, a co-owner of the Puritan Backroom restaurant in Manchester, previously served on New Hampshire's Executive Council before winning his seat in the House of Representatives. He won the Democratic nomination after defeating a progressive challenger.
Throughout the campaign, Pappas and Democrats sought to tie Sununu to Trump, whose approval ratings are low in New Hampshire. Sununu, however, argued that the election was about New Hampshire's needs and who could provide an independent voice in Washington. He pointed out that Trump would be out of office within two years of the Senate term.
Sununu previously served six years in the U.S. House and won a Senate seat in 2002 before losing a rematch to Jeanne Shaheen in 2008. His father, John E. Sununu, served as governor and White House chief of staff, and his brother, Chris Sununu, recently completed an eight-year term as governor.
